division | Main contents | Basis and Source |
|---|---|---|
| global automobile market | Electric vehicle (EV) demand is increasing, but some slowdown is occurring due to high interest rates. | Bloomberg 2025.9 |
| Korean market structure | 2.4 million imported vehicles registered (15% of total) | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport vehicle registration statistics |
| trade regulations | Impact of the IRA (US Inflation Reduction Act) and the EU CBAM | Reuters 2025.8 |
| FTA impact | 0% tariffs on EU and US automobiles, 3-8% for non-FTA countries | Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy FTA announcement data |
The rising share of EVs and hybrid vehicles and the increase in reverse imports of battery components are rapidly changing the HS87 import structure.
item | Details | Data source |
|---|---|---|
| HS code | 87 (Vehicles other than railway or tramway) | UN Comtrade |
| Main detailed items | 8703 (passenger cars), 8704 (trucks), 8708 (parts and accessories) | Customs Service Trade Statistics |
| 2024 import volume | Approximately USD 44.3 billion (6.5% of total imports) | KCS Trade Statistics |
| Average annual growth rate ('20–'24) | +4.2% | OEC data |
| Key growth factors | Premium car imports are on the rise, and EV and battery parts are being imported back into the market. |
The HS87 product group is a composite of finished vehicles and parts , and is directly affected by the transition to electric vehicles and the shift in global supply chains.
ranking | importing country | Specific gravity (%) | Features and Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | germany | 32 | Focused on premium brands (BMW, Benz, Audi) |
| 2 | USA | 21 | Focus on electric vehicles and SUVs |
| 3 | japan | 17 | Hybrid and compact cars |
| 4 | Mexico | 9 | Reverse import from Hyundai and Kia production bases |
| 5 | china | 8 | EV parts and battery cables |
The top five countries account for 87% of total imports, with the premium and electrified vehicle import pattern, particularly driven by Germany, the US and Japan, continuing.
division | 2023 Q3 | 2024 Q3 | Increase/decrease (%) | note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| passenger car (large) | 256,000 | 267,000 | +4.3 | Premium and EV share increases |
| Parts (million) | 441 | 462 | +4.8 | Modules, sensors, and electrical components |
| commercial vehicle (large) | 14,800 | 15,300 | +3.4 | For construction and logistics |
| Total (USD) | 10.82 billion | 11.41 billion | +5.5 | stable growth |
Imports of finished vehicles are flat, while imports of parts are growing at an accelerated rate due to electrification (increase in electronic components) .
item | 2024 Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Compared to the previous quarter (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average passenger car import price (USD/vehicle) | 47,200 | 49,100 | 50,400 | +2.6 |
| Electric Vehicles (USD/Vehicle) | 56,800 | 59,700 | 61,200 | +2.5 |
| Parts (USD/kg) | 13.5 | 13.9 | 14.4 | +3.6 |
The average import price is on the rise due to the increasing proportion of luxury vehicles from Europe and the United States.
branch | characteristic | Import Volatility Index (0–1) |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | New car launch order | 0.52 |
| Q2 | Concentrated imports of European cars | 0.70 |
| Q3 | EV parts imports peak | 0.77 |
| Q4 | Year-end import car adjustment period | 0.58 |
The Q2-Q3 concentration pattern is clear, with imports of electric vehicles and parts in particular accelerating in the summer.
item | detail |
|---|---|
| Tariff rate | 0% from the EU and US, 3-8% from non-FTA countries |
| Non-tariff | Environmental regulations, CBAM, and IRA tax deduction requirements |
| Domestic alternative industries | The domestic production rate of electric vehicles is 71%, and the domestic production rate of parts is 88%. |
| Future tasks | Establishing a circular economy and recycling system for batteries and electrical components. |
Carbon and battery supply chain certifications, rather than regulations, influence import speeds.
characteristic | evaluation | analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon emissions impact | award | Automobile production and transportation stages |
| Net Zero Contribution | Medium to high | EV/HEV proliferation |
| ESG Risk | middle | Battery raw material supply chain |
The increase in the proportion of electric and eco-friendly vehicles has a positive effect on the ESG transition.
importing country | Policy/Regulatory Risk (0–1) | Logistics Risk (0–1) | Trust Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| germany | 0.28 | 0.27 | 0.79 |
| USA | 0.24 | 0.31 | 0.80 |
| japan | 0.29 | 0.28 | 0.76 |
| Mexico | 0.33 | 0.36 | 0.70 |
| china | 0.44 | 0.42 | 0.61 |
Average Trust Index = 0.73 (Good) – Relatively high supply stability due to the supply structure centered on major FTA countries.
industry | Major companies | Imported items | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imported car distribution | BMW Korea, Benz Korea, Audi Volkswagen | finished vehicle | Focus on high-priced premium |
| Domestic car manufacturing | Hyundai, Kia, and KG Mobility | Reimport of parts from overseas factories | Global factory linkage |
| Electrical components and batteries | LG Energy Solutions, Samsung SDI, and Hyundai Mobis | Sensors, motors, and wiring | EV core components |
| aftermarket | Bosch, ZF, Delphi | Parts & Accessories | Expanding the service market |
characteristic | Currently (2025 Q3) | Compared to the previous quarter (Δ%) | analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| ΔImport | +2.9% | ▲ 1.0 | Increase in EV and component focus |
| ΔPrice | +2.4% | ▲ 0.7 | Rising share of premium tea |
| ΔCountryShare | +0.5% | ▲ 0.3 | Increased EU and US presence |
| Trust Index | 0.73 | = | Good |
| Forecast (3M) | +3.6% | ▲ | Increase in new car and parts arrivals at the end of the year |
Summary: HS87 imports are showing a moderate upward trend (positive-neutral). Imports of electric vehicle parts and premium vehicles continue to grow, and the country's share is being reorganized according to the IRA and FTA environment.
division | Suggestion | Expected effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction of a circular economy certification system for batteries and electrical components | ESG · CBAM response |
| 2 | Establishment of a Joint Consultative Body on FTA Expansion and IRA Tax Credits | Price and supply stability |
| 3 | Domestic EV parts reverse export program launched | Improving the reverse import structure |
| 4 | Import forecast management based on AI trade index | Procurement efficiency |
| 5 | Considering limited application of eco-friendly vehicle subsidy policy to imported vehicles | Maintaining market balance |
HS87 (Vehicles and Parts) Imports Trade Index – 2025 Q3
ΔImport +2.9%, ΔPrice +2.4%, Trust 0.73, Forecast +3.6%
→ Outlook: Moderate increase (Positive-Neutral).
The market is transitioning to a structure centered on EVs and parts, and import growth is expected to continue over the next three months. Free trade agreement (FTA) utilization and supply chain ESG management are presented as key policy axes.
